So what's the problem, This is an entirely logical extension of making Marijuana legal in Colorado. The good news is that it is putting pot smuggling back into the hands of US Citizens and taking it away from the Mexican Cartels. The real problem will be when these Cartels expand their operation into Colorado, that would be a real problem.

It's one more reason not to trust everything published in the paper, regardless of whose name is on the byline. So many stories are just recycled releases from gummint propaganda agents it's getting hard to find any real news these days.

Since we now know, thanks to Wikileaks and Edward Snowden and others, of the fedgov's illegal programs designed to catch terrorists but in the process abridging the freedoms of association and Fourth Amendment rights of all Americans, would it be any surprise to learn the same government--to protect us from the scourge of drugs, naturally--has devised DNA tracking methods to ascertain the origin of seized marijuana? That they have hundreds of plant biologists employed or under contract who do nothing but examine whatever is confiscated and report to the DEA or one of its numerous task forces where it was grown so another raid can be scheduled?

Pure speculation on my part, of course, but since the only declared wars since WWII have been against poverty, drugs and terrorism--and we already know roughly how much wasted effort was expended over the years fighting them--this would be consistent with what's been done previously. Probably 80% of the drug war is out of sight from the American media and all but those actively involved and wearing badges. (Is there another Snowden lurking in the DEA perhaps? Let's see what you have.)

It's entirely possible that CO grown MJ can be identified as such. So what? Shouldn't the Denver Post and the Chamber of Commerce and other civic boosters be celebrating that the state is exporting something of value and helping the local economy? They jump up and down when some minor business relocates to Arvada or Thornton. MJ growing is huge business, meaning lots of money and jobs, jobs, jobs.

Oh, but marijuana is illegal in other states.

That will change over time. Interstate banking was illegal until around 1994. Most states didn't allow concealed carry by ordinary citizens until recently. Laws change over time, and so do attitudes.

Not wrote:"It is also uncertain exactly how much pot is leaving the state's borders — or how much the activity has increased"

So the headline of the article is a lie. They go on to quote unreliable second hand witnesses to verify the lie. They pick and choose individual instances that do not back up the lie, to support the lie.

My theory, which is more likely correct, is that there has been an increase in amateur attempts to smuggle marijuana, and a vast decrease in the amount being smuggled into the states by organized crime. Mexico's President predicted billions in losses to their drug cartels due to the legalization in just two states. I guess the Denver Post, the Federal Justice Department, and all other fear mongers with much public tax funding to gain, would rather go back to the headless bodies hanging from Mexican overpasses, than to have an easier job busting stoned renobs flying planes into Kansas.

Thank you DP for giving me something to laugh at this morning. A bold faced lie is a great way to prepare for the day.

I think this post is dead-on. They are trying very hard to convince us there is this "huge" problem out there we caused by legalizing marijuana, and as we can see by some comments here, some people are actually buying it. I believe the motivation behind this is trying to scare people into passing high taxes on MJ, just a maybe?

The main point of legalizing pot in Colorado was to lessen the burden on drug enforcement and the number of users incarcerated in this country every year. However, the law enforcement apparatus is still in place. The people who serve in these capacities are going to justify their roles. Not saying they are wrong in doing so but there is an element of self-preservation in play. Both sides of the argument are going to present numbers that support their positions.Legalizing pot nationally would go a long way towards alleviating this problem. Prohibition on the federal level is not working just as it did not with alcohol. Let the individual counties determine whether they want to be smoke free or have marijuana use legalized. But please do away with the Federal ban on the use of marijuana for recreational or medicinal purposes. It is only another antiquated law that serves only those that try to enforce it.

If Colorado marijuana is getting fame from the East coast and Californian growers are looking to move here. That is just better publicitiy for the state. Tourism is going to explode in 2014. Mountains, Sunshine, Craft Beers, Dank, and a clean city. Whats not to like about Colorado. Sure beats driving through crappy places we call neighbors.

This is just a 21st century version of Coors running. Alcohol prohibition died the same way. Only, with the increases in travel speed, human migration, and communication, the death of marijuana prohibition will happen much quicker than it did with alcohol.

Contrary to popular belief, the complete end of alcohol prohibition took the better part of a century.

Let's update that old Jerry Reed country song for 2013:

"The boys need to toke up in Atlanta.And, there's weed in TexarcanaWe'll get it there no matter what it takes!"

Opening up the national alcohol markets faced the same "doomsayer" predications from law enforcement, at the time. In the end, the only thing that stopped by opening up the national alcohol markets was alcohol "bootlegging" and the black market.

Last edited by plutoniumvalley on September 4th, 2013, 11:24 am, edited 1 time in total.